DuMaInSin

Apologies, that was a typo. It should be 2019. I corrected it.

demue

Well I attribute it to "bigger issues" to fix IT wise before we (IHG) get to this one. As always on FT, the day this is gone / stops working we will hear an outcry while we all ushered in the demise of it. Same goes for some bloggers who need to add value for their readership.

Anyways, it is what it is, but there is a reason why many seasoned FTers have gotten very cautious to post / publish / talk about any tricks or hacks these days as sharing such is the first step to getting it kill*d off some day. Probably more suitable for a philosophical OMNI thread . YMMV.

FFlash

And speaking of that, it is on loyaltylobby now. So I WILL CRY if my investment is nullified by that

rbAA

Well, still worth the chance that it is still working, especially since AMB now gets (at least) one free breakfast at IC's. With the usual 20% off F&B, it will make my IC stays more valuable. The 15,000 points for the $200 package posted immediately, and the 10% off awards will be worth at least another 15,000 in 2019, so close to getting the $200 in value with these benefits alone. Plus, I just used my 12/18 BOGO at the IC Hua Hin, saved THB9000++ for the second night, breakfast was THB690 each with the 20% discount vs THB3000 per night for the Club. Spire renewal would be the icing.

ernestnywang

Could anyone confirm if this still works, especially if I use points to pay for the Ambassador membership? In particular, I would like to ask if this trick works only one time ever or if this is something people have been able to continuously take advantage of. I see online that this has been reported at the end of 2016, 2017, and now 2018. This year, I could potentially go for a 3 mattress runs * 5000 bonus points to reach the target, so if this is a trick I could only use once ever, I may not do it. On the other hand, with the rumour that Ambassador membership comes with free breakfast in ICs, the Ambassador membership seems more valuable to me now, and I have a surplus of points anyway.

Thanks!

craigthemif

Nobody can "confirm" anything until 2019 comes and it's too late for you to meet the requirements the standard way. Whether it's an "unpublished benefit" or an "IT glitch" I'm not sure anybody could say definitively.

Whether you attempt the trick depends on how you weigh the risk of not renewing Spire against the cost of any mattress runs. FWIW, you must already be Spire - it won't work for upgrading status.

ernestnywang

By "confirm," I meant to ask if any Spire who signed up for Ambassador in the past week or so by using points have successfully extended their Spire expiry date to Dec. 2019. My impression is one would see the extension right away if it works. In case that didn't work, I would still have time to do mattress run (but I would waste 40000 points unless I can come up with a way to use the Ambassador benefits next year), but if my status is extended, I would not need to do anything else.

My second question is whether anyone has had the experience extending Spire status for more than once by keeping Ambassador membership. If it's a once-in-a-life-time thing, I should save it for the future, as 2~3 mattress runs would do it for me.

VG3RMJC2

I extended my Ambassador membership 2 days ago for 200$ + getting 25k points bonus as a special offer, and yes, its the second consecutive year i am doing this while not meeting the Spire requirements, yet the Spire has been extended right away, and this time its even extended untill enx of 2020
I would advise you to choose the money option, and maybe you can even get 25k in addition to the free night certificate, which is definitely an excellent bargain ... good luck dude!

FFlash

I bought Amb for first time too. Where can I see the expiry, I cannot find it?

EDIT: only I can see my Amb validity 1.1.2020 but I see nowhere mentioned how long my Spire is valid. I can only see "you need 63 more nights to keep Spire Ambassador".

ernestnywang

Thanks a lot! Well I have way too many points, but we will see...

Points Scrounger

Where is this 25K offer?

craigthemif

25k is what Spires receive upon qualification.

Points Scrounger

He said that he was able to extend Spire, specifically without meeting the actual Spire requirements.

ernestnywang

I'm looking at https://www.ihg.com/intercontinental...Page=join.html now and the 200USD option does not seem to come with 25k points. Perhaps the 25k points is for renewal only?

VG3RMJC2

The offer came in my monthly eStatement of December, I was looking into extending the Ambassador and that just came in on-time, its NOT the 25k of hitting Spire as apparently I didnt hit it!
Its valid only for cash renewal when renewing by paying 200$, if someone is interested, you can approach the Ambassador desk by email and ask them, they are answering in few hours, sometimes within minutes.
Good Luck!